Young Siblings In Pilot Uniform Steal The Show At LIMA’25

By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin

LANGKAWI, May 23 (Bernama) -- Amid thousands of visitors at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA’25), the sight of two young siblings fully dressed in Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) camouflage and pilot overalls stole the spotlight today.

Despite the scorching heat, nine-year-old Ahmad Rayyan Ahmad Saiful Roshairi and five-year-old Ahmad Rizzqi Ahmad Saiful Roshairi, were visibly excited as they admired rows of fighter jets and helicopters on display at the tarmac of the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC).

They were even more thrilled when they had the chance to take photos with members of the RMAF.

Their mother, Adh Dhuhaa Azmi, 33, said her sons had been up since 5 am out of sheer excitement to wear their specially tailored uniforms which she ordered from Melaka, complete with accessories for their visit to this year’s exhibition.

“We come to LIMA every two years because we live nearby in Utan Aji, Perlis, but this is the first time for both my boys. They’ve always been fascinated by uniformed services, especially since their father is a member of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA),” she told Bernama.

“They were thrilled to take photos with aircraft and ships on the tarmac. We were just a little disappointed that we only got to watch air shows from Russia and Indonesia,” she said.

Meanwhile, housewife Izzati Hanani Samsuddin, 36, from Banting, Selangor, said her family had only seen LIMA on television before, but this year, they decided to visit Langkawi to experience the air shows and maritime exhibition up close.

“To avoid congestion, we arrived in Langkawi as early as May 18. We bought our tickets online as they were cheaper and more convenient, and we did not have to wait in long queues.

“When I entered the exhibition hall, I was amazed to see our country’s and other nations’ ships and aircraft, as well as the various types of weaponry. Everything is so big and impressive,” she said.

Bernama’s observation found the MIEC exhibition area quickly filled with visitors once it is opened to the public at 10 am.

Despite unpredictable weather, scorching heat in the morning, and heavy rain in the afternoon, the crowd remained enthusiastic, eagerly awaiting the exhibitions and air shows above Langkawi’s skies.

Among today’s aerobatic performances were those by Malaysia’s Udara 01 team, followed by Russia’s Russian Knights and Extra300L, Malaysia’s F/A-18D Hornet, and Indonesia’s Jupiter team.

Meanwhile, Alicia Mathew George, 38, from Russia, described her visit to LIMA’25 as an unforgettable experience.

She and her husband were especially impressed by the air shows.

“It is beyond my expectations. I had only seen it online before, but this time around, my husband and I are here to experience it ourselves. We’ll definitely recommend LIMA to our friends back in Russia,” she said.

LIMA’25 runs for five days, with the first three days (May 20 - 22) only open to trade visitors, while today and tomorrow are open to the general public.

-- BERNAMA